Diseases, the symptom of which is pain in different parts of the lumbar region

It is difficult to find a person who is not familiar with back pain in the lower back.Often this problem occurs after a person spends a lot of time in one position - for example, sitting.According to statistics, about 90% of all people experience pain in the lower back from time to time.

The problem occurs in men and women, more often in middle and old age.Acute pain not only causes discomfort, but also you will not be able to work for a long time.In some cases, a person cannot fully move and take care of himself.

In most cases, pain in the spinal region is caused by inflammatory processes, less often by diseases of internal organs.Unpleasant sensations rarely disappear by themselves, so it is important not to miss disturbing symptoms and consult a doctor in time.Timely diagnosis will help prevent serious complications in the future.

The structure of the lumbar region

The lower back is part of the back wall of the abdomen.This is a fairly strong and durable muscle plexus designed to protect the spinal cord from injury and damage.The lumbar region is involved in the movement of the body during sports, sitting and walking.The upper border of the lumbar region is considered the edge of the rib bones, the lower border passes along the ends of the iliac bones.

The components of the department are:

• five vertebrae;
• Bone structures;
• ligaments and tendons;
• Muscle tissue;
• joint capsules;
• Blood vessels.

The spine is cushioned using intervertebral discs.The lumbar region is not only very strong, but also flexible - it provides rotational movements, bending and stretching.The spinal cord inside the spine is protected by an arch of processes whose joints are responsible for the direction of movements.The muscles of this part ensure a stable body position.

Possible foci of inflammation

Acute or periodic pain in the lower back can be the result of inflammatory processes of internal organs located in the retroperitoneal space.

The following tissues and organs in the sacrolumbar region are susceptible to inflammation:

1. Leather.Pain in the lumbar region can be caused by pathogens (streptococci, staphylococci).They penetrate the sebaceous and sweat glands and form the focus of purulent-necrotic inflammation, which gradually spreads to the surrounding tissues (furunculosis).When several glands located next to each other are affected at the same time, a carbuncle can be formed - a collection of lymph and inflammatory cells reaching a diameter of several centimeters.If streptococci penetrate under the skin as a result of a wound or injury, pyoderma is formed - painful ulcers appear on the surface;
2. Spinal column.Pain in the spine can be caused by non-infectious inflammation of the lumbosacral region and adjacent tissues.This disease is known as ankylosing spondylitis.At this time, the patient feels pain not only in the spine, but also in the muscles.As the disease progresses, it deprives a person of the ability to move normally, and the pain spreads to the hip joints.Less commonly, inflammation of the spine can be the result of tuberculosis, brucellosis, or osteomyelitis;
3. Ligaments and muscles.Back pain with hypothermia, injuries or a sedentary lifestyle will be the result of inflammatory processes in muscle tissue and ligaments;
4. Additional.Often this organ is located behind the intestine;A person with appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix) experiences acute back pain in the lower back along with other symptoms.
5. Kidneys.One of the symptoms of inflammation of the renal pelvis is severe pain in the lower back.

Only a qualified doctor can determine the cause of pain in the spine.You should not delay a visit to the doctor, especially for acute inflammation of the appendix - in this case, urgent hospitalization and surgical intervention are required.

Causes of back pain

What can cause lower back pain?Modern medicine distinguishes primary and secondary causes of pain in the spine.In the first case, various pathologies of the spine are considered, and in the second case, diseases of internal organs occur.

Predisposing factors whose presence can lead to the development of the disease are no less important:

• A special feature of regular activity is hard physical work, professional sports;
• Compulsory stay in one position for a long time - working on a computer, reading;
• Lack of physical activity;
• Poor nutrition - consumption of large amounts of fatty and sweet foods in the absence of grains, vegetables and dairy products;
• Abuse of tobacco and alcohol;
• Overweight.

It is important to reduce or eliminate risk factors whenever possible;this will not only avoid spinal problems but also improve your overall health.

The main causes of pain are pathologies of the spine.Various degenerative-dystrophic processes in this part of the body are named;The following diseases belong to this category:

1. Lumbar osteochondrosis- disease associated with dystrophic changes in cartilage and intervertebral discs.The structure of the tissue gradually changes, which leads to compression of the nerves and continued tension in the back muscles.Tears and protrusions develop against the background of osteochondrosis, the pain becomes unbearable over time;
2. Spondyloarthrosis- deformation of the cartilages, so they lose their elasticity.Over time, the articular surfaces of the vertebrae become exposed and the joint capsules become inflamed;
3. Spondylolisthesis- displacement of the vertebrae relative to each other.Because of this, the lumen of the spinal canal changes and the spinal roots are damaged, causing painful pain in the lower back.

Secondary causes of pain are factors resulting from the development of pathologies of internal organs.In this case, there may be several diagnoses:

1. Metabolic disorders.Due to acute lack of vitamins and minerals, bones and joints lose elasticity and collapse;
2. Malignant formations, localized near the spinal column.In this case, severe pain is caused by metastases penetrating the intervertebral space;
3. Infectious diseases- purulent cystitis, spondylitis, epiduritis;
4. Curvature of the spine- scoliosis, kyphosis;
5. Various injuries- fractures, bends, displacements of the spine;
6. Psychogenic disorders.In this case, pain occurs due to disturbances in brain activity (for example, after a stroke);
7. Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract- for example, intestinal obstruction;
8. Diseases of the pelvic organs- inflammation of the appendages or ovaries, sexually transmitted diseases at an advanced stage.

Women are probably familiar with back pain caused by physiological processes such as menstruation.

Pregnant women also complain of discomfort - the increased load on the spine makes itself felt from time to time with pain, which intensifies as the time approaches.

Manifestations of back pain

Back pain can manifest itself in different ways.Pain sensations are classified according to their intensity and frequency.Long-lasting pain is called lumbodynia.

A sudden, sharp pain that occurs in a relatively short period of time is lumbago.Pain may occur from time to time - for example, after heavy physical exertion or overwork.

Pain in the sacrolumbar region due to mechanical stress has the following symptoms:

1. It most often occurs in the afternoon, after strenuous exercise or other unusual physical activity.After proper rest, unpleasant feelings disappear completely.Pains of this nature are observed in middle-aged and elderly people;
2. Inflammatory pain, on the other hand, appears more sharply in the first half of the day.They often decrease or disappear after physical activity or taking painkillers.Characteristics of young people.

The localization of pain also depends on the structure of existing injuries:

• Local pain in the lumbar region appears after damage to certain areas of the spine.Painful sensations are usually not very obvious, they are constant, and the pain can intensify or disappear with a change in body position;
• Pain caused by inflammation of internal organs (reflex).Deep pain is constant and may spread to the pelvis and hip joints;
• Irritation of the roots of the spinal nerve causes sharp pain that can spread along the periphery to the toes;
• Pain caused by abdominal muscle spasms (fibromyalgia) is characterized by aching, cramping pain.

If the patient feels a sharp sharp pain in the spine, in no case should you self-medicate and postpone a visit to the doctor.

Diagnostics

What to do if your back hurts?Depending on the cause of the concern, the patient should consult one or more doctors:

• Therapist- if acute appendicitis is suspected;
• Surgeon- if you suspect existing inflammatory processes in the internal organs and intestinal obstruction.The doctor carefully palpates the abdominal cavity to detect dense, painful areas and conducts a general blood test;
• Rheumatologist- for the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis.The doctor takes into account the specific symptoms of the disease, prescribes an X-ray or MRI and examines a general blood test;
• Neurologist- if you suspect myositis or osteochondrosis.The diagnosis is made after an ultrasound examination, general blood test and electromyography (a method that allows assessing the degree of muscle damage);
• Dermatologist- for skin lesions caused by the penetration of pathogenic bacteria.The doctor makes a diagnosis after a visual examination of the damaged area of the skin and bacterial culture;
• Traumatologist- if there are bruises or injuries on the spine.The diagnosis is made after ultrasound or computed tomography;
• Orthopedist- for scoliosis, kyphosis and congenital anomalies of the spine.Diagnosis is usually made in adolescence;
• infectious disease specialist- when brucellosis is suspected.A general blood test and bacteriological culture are performed to detect the pathogen;
• Nephrologist- for the diagnosis of pyelonephritis.When making a diagnosis, the results of a general blood test, urinalysis, ultrasound and urography (examination of the kidneys, bladder and urinary tract) are taken into account.

Because there are many causes of low back pain, it can be difficult for a doctor to make a diagnosis based on a test or examination.

Often, an integrated approach is applied, including several types of diagnostic procedures, each of which has certain requirements:

1. X-ray imageslumbar spine should be done in direct and lateral projections.In rare cases, examination in the prone position may be necessary;
2. Computed tomography methodit is considered more effective because it allows you to see existing tears and spinal injuries.This study is rarely performed because the patient receives a large dose of X-rays;
3. MRI(magnetic resonance imaging) accurately shows the condition of intervertebral discs, processes and articular tissues.It is carried out together with a doctor's examination and other diagnostic procedures;
4. Radioisotope scanningperformed to detect malignant tumors.The method involves the introduction of a radioisotope substance into the blood.After some time, the substance is localized in the tumor area, the focus is detected using a special scanner;
5. Densitometry— allows detecting changes in the bone tissue of the spine, which indicate the presence of osteoporosis at an early stage;
6. General blood testperformed to diagnose inflammatory processes that provoke back pain.With its help, a number of serious diseases can be identified in time.

Modern diagnostic methods allow to quickly and accurately determine the cause of back pain.

It is important to describe the current symptoms of the disease to the doctor in detail and accurately, not forgetting to mention the current injuries, congenital pathologies and previous diseases (if any).

Treatment

Back pain in the lumbar region - how to treat?If discomfort occurs after a bruise or sprain, cold will help to relieve the condition.This will not only reduce pain but also prevent swelling.

It is also recommended to minimize the load on the spine and take any of the available pain medications.If you suspect a serious injury - a fracture or sprain - you should immediately call an ambulance.

Drug treatment

Severe pain in the lumbar region requires the use of drugs and therapeutic exercises.The drug is administered in several ways:

• subcutaneous injection (injection where pain is localized);
• Taking medicine in the form of tablets;
• Applying pain-relieving ointments, gels and solutions to the skin.

Treatment should be completed with gymnastics (if the pain is not related to injuries) and diagnosis of the disease causing the back pain.

Physiotherapy treatment

This treatment is prescribed after the pain is relieved by medication.Physiotherapy procedures activate tissue exchange, accelerate tissue regeneration, stop further destruction of bone and joint tissue.

The list of procedures is as follows:

1. Electrophoresis.It ensures fast delivery of the drug solution to the painful areas.The procedure looks like this: cotton pads soaked in a medicinal solution are applied to the lower back.Special plates emitting electric current discharges are fixed on top.Under the influence of impulses, the solution penetrates the inflammation area;
2. Ultrasound treatment.Sound waves of a special range stimulate blood circulation in the sacrolumbar region.Damaged areas receive maximum nutrients and molecular oxygen.The result of the procedures is an increase in metabolism and an improvement in the patient's condition;
3. Laser therapy.This method is used to treat destructive changes in the spine.Radiation in the infrared range activates blood supply to cartilage and joints, helps remove waste and toxins from the body;
4. Magnetotherapy.Under the influence of magnetic waves, blood circulation in the damaged areas of the spine is stimulated, pain decreases or disappears completely.

Physiotherapy will be effective only in combination with drug treatment, so the procedures must be agreed with the attending physician.

Traditional treatment methods

To get rid of pain in the lower back, traditional healers offer many recipes based on medicinal plants.You can often find recommendations to increase the amount of liquid you drink - all kinds of decoctions help to remove waste and toxins from the body that are formed as a result of inflammatory processes.

Many medicinal plants contain biologically active substances that have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antiseptic effects.

Medicinal decoctions, compresses and ointments can be used to relieve back pain.Here are some popular recipes:

• Pour boiling water over lingonberry leaves, marigold flowers and St. John's wort in equal proportions and leave for half an hour.Drink the infusion in small portions throughout the day;
• Dried rose hips, juniper berries and blueberries (a small handful of each type of berry) are placed in a thermos and filled with boiling water.Take half a glass half an hour before meals;
• Dissolve 2 tablespoons of pharmaceutical alcohol and 100 grams of petroleum jelly in one hundred grams of honey, use it as a compress before going to bed.

It should be remembered that treatment with traditional methods is only suitable for minor back pain.Inflammatory processes accompanied by acute pain require treatment in a hospital setting.

The complex of treatment measures is determined individually;the doctor chooses the optimal treatment strategy depending on the cause of the back pain, the existing symptoms and the age of the patient.

Prevention

No one is immune to back pain.It is absolutely impossible to avoid the natural wear and tear of bones and joints.However, it is quite possible to avoid serious spinal problems;it is enough to follow a few simple rules:

1. Do not neglect physical activity - walking and swimming, exercises to strengthen the back and abdomen;
2. If possible, avoid excessive stress on the spine - do not lift very heavy objects, do not carry furniture by yourself, etc.;
3. Track your body weight.Excess weight contributes to the destruction of joint and bone tissue;
4. Try to walk and sit up straight.Good posture will eliminate many spinal problems and prevent strains and sprains.

These simple rules will help you not only maintain the health of your spine, but also improve your general well-being.Any symptom of spine-related diseases - pain, stiffness, tension - cannot be ignored.

Timely and competent treatment will help prevent serious complications in the future.